London and St. Thomas Association of REALTORS® Joins Forces with Local Business Community to Tackle Food Insecurity
On November 30, REALTORS® from the London and St. Thomas Association of REALTORS® (LSTAR) came together with volunteers from across the local business community for their REALTORS Care® Day. Hand-in-hand, volunteers participated in the Business Cares Food Drive, working towards supporting the London Food Bank’s mission of alleviating hunger in their community
According to the Middlesex-London Health Unit, roughly one-in-six households in the region are food insecure, as many community members are forced to cut into their food budget to cover other expenses. To help combat this pressing issue, REALTOR® volunteers participated in the annual Business Cares Food Drive, which sees members of the business community provide drop-off locations and give their time to collect donations for the London Food Bank.
Throughout the day, 40 REALTOR® volunteers were responsible for two grocery store stations of the food drive. These volunteers collected 11,000 pounds of food, helping to ensure that the London Food Bank’s shelves were well-stocked for the winter months.
“I love the Business Cares Food Drive because you can truly feel the impact you’re making,” said Lindsay Reid, REALTOR® and Broker with Royal Lepage Triland Realty. “I intentionally choose my location because people often come and share their stories, and I find that they are some of the most generous individuals in the city. I’m happy to sit in the cold for eight hours each year, knowing the gratification it brings.”
LSTAR’s support of the London Food Bank will go a long way in feeding many community members, whether that be at home or through partner agencies. In 2023, the food bank supported more than 16,000 unique households. The organization also helps more than 25 other groups and agencies, including community meal programs and shelters.
“It’s really difficult to see the community struggling, and when you see the families coming, I mean they’re just like you and I,” said Jane Roy, Co-Executive Director of the London Food Bank. “The community has been so supportive, it’s been amazing.”
The initiative not only provided much-needed resources to the food bank but also highlighted the importance of collective action and community involvement. Together, the London business community was able to collect 188,000 pounds of food through the Business Cares Food Drive.
Throughout the year, LSTAR and its members can be found engaging in a variety of initiatives to support their community. Local charities benefit from their various fundraisers, including their slo-pitch tournament, golf tournament, and holiday events. This year, they’ve given out nearly $70,000 in grants to ten local organizations, including Meals on Wheels, My Sisters’ Place and Youth Opportunities Unlimited, while also offering four annual scholarships of $2,500.
